bcd2010

hi friend glad you are back! I want to cruise with you!

I think after Sunshine's review of the cruise with the ex, she will never want for a room mate again - a whole lot of us would love to travel with her. Of course, she'd have to weed out the crazies among us ;):)

This may help understand the programs.

The medallion programs have always been based on actual number of days sailed. Don't know when it started or if there were any perks beyond the award.

The Mariner Star program was started a few years ago. Perks were included based on how many stars you had, which were based on the number of days sailed, the cabin type you booked (double for suites), and dollars spent for most on-board purchases, shore excursions, etc. (including anything pre-booked and prepaid). Pins are awarded at each level, 2 and above.

When the Mariner Star program was implemented, it was supposed to replace the medallions program. Many people protested so HAL kept both.

Jonie .... your JOY is contagious ... thank you for sharing it with all of us!:):)

Yes! In many ways, Joanie has risen above some "stuff" and chosen to be happy - and she quite generously shares it! She is one of few people I hope to meet on a cruise one day.

Someone on another post said that the dog was staying in cabin 3431. Could that have been your cabin?

According to the HAL web site deck plans, 3431 is an aft cabin in the middle of the back of the LP deck - so probably not the cabin OP booked since they talk about being moved to the other side.

It's also an effect of a bad economy. People without jobs, adequate paying jobs, cannot afford even $200 (actually $400 for 2 or with single supplement) plus transportation to/from the port plus on board expenses (a minimum of about $80 each for HSC) - and they certainly cannot afford to take time off work. So many people unemployed or under-employed.

Vacations are one of the first casualties - I suspect many on here are comfortable enough financially that they can still take vacations but I wonder if some are taking fewer/shorter cruises, cheaper cabins or cutting back in other ways?

This is just an observational comment, not meant to turn this thread into anything political - let's refrain from that.

*ODECCIT was posting while I was typing - makes me feel a little better that I'm not the only one aware of the continuing effects of the bad economy.

"Wonder why Jeff has not commented on this in his blog."

He did comment today:

"Now, one more issue to talk about… It seems that someone on Cruise Critic questioned as to why I had not mentioned in my blog a woman onboard that has a service dog…. There is a post on Cruise Critic about an “out of control dog on the Amsterdam”. The whole issue just blows me away! We have choices in life, I choose to explore the world and make the most of each day. Just like it says on my card “Live like you’re dying”, make each moment count. I guess some would rather focus on their fellow travelers and the wild rumors and speculation that normally goes on during these long voyages. Well, for my part, the voyage has truly been Grand and the ships staff and crew have done a remarkable job. If someone couldn’t enjoy this voyage they must bear some of that responsibility…. The woman and her dog have had no impact on my daily activities or cruise. In fact, other than the other guests talking about it I normally wouldn’t even know the dog was onboard. No matter how anyone feels about it, the woman came on with legal documentation for having a service dog with her. The reality is it is not up to us guests or the crew as to whether or not the dog may be on board the ship. That issue is between the woman in question and her doctor. I believe the staff and crew have handled this situation extremely well. It is a shame that so many wild, unsupported allegations, rumors and assertions have to constantly fly around the ship. Life is too short to not enjoy every minute of every day!"

... there were no designated interior, oceanview, or verandah cabins available for a family of 3 that needs a wheelchair accessible cabin.

"Available" makes me wonder... Could it be that all such cabins are already booked?

I am unfamiliar with a "makeup" - do you mean "meet up"?

They are referring to hard cider.....a brewed beverage that is an alternative to beer (which is popular in the UK and elsewhere).

The person who started this post talked about it not being on "lists of alchohol" and strong bow has alchohol in it, and so that is what I was referring to - just to clarify my post. I was never offered non - alchohol cider either tho in the bars or lounges. Any kind of cider or cooler would have been really nice, but I've never found any - and I've always asked.

Oh, okay. As a non-drinker (due to meds I take), I didn't know this. Thank you for enlightening me - learn something new every day!

Do you mean sparkling cider? On my last cruise, I got this as an alternative whenever free champagne was poured, as at the Mariner's Brunch - Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider. I could have bought a bottle if I wanted - IIRC it was $20-$25.

... quality is also an issue, IMO.

 

My ship-sponsored tours in the past have led to: lengthy stops for shopping opportunities at every kind of "factory" known to tourists (rugs, ceramics, perfume, cameos, leather, wooden boxes, jewelry, diamonds, you name it); poor guides who cannot give even basic information without significant errors; guides that make fun of ethnic minorities in their country in a most uncomfortable way; guides that cannot manage time and end up having to drastically shorten or even skip scheduled stops; and probably most annoying of all, fellow tour passengers who cannot or will not listen to the tour guide and be back on schedule.

Precisely. Saving money is a side benefit to me. If I ever miss the ship, I have decided not to look at it as a cruise-ruining event but as an additional adventure. It may be more adventure than I'd like while I'm handling things but I will rise to the challenge and turn it into a great story afterwards.

This is one of the reasons I try to set up private excursions - yes, I know the pros and cons and possible pitfalls, not looking to turn this into a thread on that subject. After so many ship's shorex's that failed to even come close to the description and the run-around (I'm being polite here) from the shorex reps, the front desk people and GRM's, I try to avoid the cruise lines' excursions. It is that disingenuous, deceitful run-around that irritates me the most.

P.S. The shorex people are there to sell the tours. That's their job. I have seen them say anything and everything to sell the product. Proceed at your own risk.

My last cruise was a B2B Panama Canal. I traveled with DS,an adult single 40ish male. At our table on the first leg was a British couple with an adult daughter (single, late 20s), and another couple from Britain - 5 of us were close in age, the "kids" were close in "status". I can see the connections: 2 families with adult children who are single, 2 British couples. On the second leg, there were 4 couples, DS & me and 3 married couples, all from the US - connections not so obvious, but probably age since I and the other adults were all in our 50s & 60s.

Ultimate compatibility is unpredictable. The family (couple with adult child) never made it to dinner on time - they didn't seem to "get" that fixed dining meant fixed time as well as fixed table - they were anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes late every night. The rest of us sat around waiting. My irritation showed and the mother told me while we were onshore at one of the ports that I was "overly sensitive" (I kept my mouth shut but thought she could benefit from being a little more sensitive!). For the life of me, and forgive me for this, I could not understand a word the other couple said - they spoke English, but with an accent I couldn't figure out.

The 2nd leg, various couples, all got along well, lots of conversation (in American English :) ). Each twosome also ate at alternate venues (PG & Caneletto) on different nights, so all of us ate together in the MDR only 3 of the 14 nights - gave us a chance to get to know each other in smaller groups as well as the large group.

On other cruises, we have been seated at a table with mostly singles (as DS and I are), and at tables with other couples/groups - I guess we're sometimes in the "couples" category. Often matched by age but sometimes my age, sometimes DS's age.

So I can see some criteria that are used but I believe that there are inevitably some "leftovers" who get placed wherever there's room.

Obviously I'm in the minority here, but I think it's excessive and juvenile. :( [/size]

.

I'll join the minority with you. :cool:

Me, too. Now we'll probably get flamed.

I can help with some of this. The shareholder benefit is good for now, no guarantee it will last forever, is subject to change (yearly). You get the OBC on all of Carnival's lines every time you cruise (7 days or longer) on the same 100 shares. It does depend on cruise length. Only one per cabin.

 

If your cruise is off in the future you might want to wait to see if the stock comes down. This is a stock that fluctuates a few dollars so you can make money off it as well as get the OBC. Right now it's pretty high ($40.90 today, year's range $32.11 - 42.31). DS bought 125 shares a month ago at 34.50 and sold them a couple days ago at 40.50 - a $750 dollar profit, about 16-17%. Next time it comes down he can buy 150 shares.

I should also add that buying/selling the stocks should be done between cruises - you must own the stocks at the time of sailing and between the time you notify HAL and the time you sail. DS has 100 in his portfolio at all times, "plays" with additional shares.

Hello, I'm hoping someone is willing to answer some questions about the Carnival Shares OBC perk .. I asked the HAL online chat lady if detailed info was available on the HAL website, but the answer was "no, call this number". Which I will also do.

 

- Does it work for Canadians? HAL chat lady says Yes, but would love to hear from a Canadian that has done it.

- Is there a waiting period? If I buy 100 shares now, how soon could I claim the OBC?

- I think the amount of OBC depends on cruise length, but the only list of "$$ vs days" I could find was from 2005.

- Do my 100 shares allow me to claim OBC on multiple cruises and/or over multiple years, or do I have to buy more shares?

- I cruise with a friend, not related and not a couple. If we both had shares, would we both get the OBC, or is it per stateroom?

 

Many thanks, and thank you also for the great information on this discussion group!

I can help with some of this. The shareholder benefit is good for now, no guarantee it will last forever, is subject to change (yearly). You get the OBC on all of Carnival's lines every time you cruise (7 days or longer) on the same 100 shares. It does depend on cruise length. Only one per cabin.

If your cruise is off in the future you might want to wait to see if the stock comes down. This is a stock that fluctuates a few dollars so you can make money off it as well as get the OBC. Right now it's pretty high ($40.90 today, year's range $32.11 - 42.31). DS bought 125 shares a month ago at 34.50 and sold them a couple days ago at 40.50 - a $750 dollar profit, about 16-17%. Next time it comes down he can buy 150 shares.

how many days was each segment?

 

14.

I did it in March 2012 and really enjoyed the lengthy cruise. Only 1 port repeated (Huatulco). Here's my online journal: http://www.bcdenterprises.net/PCcruise/

A couple weeks ago at the state fair my DS filled out a card for a free cruise. When they called, they told him (eventually) that there would be a 90 minute presentation for a travel club when he picked up the tickets that might be for a cruise (he might win something else, instead).

These come-ons happen all the time - time shares, vacation clubs, travel clubs...

For any of you who care it is most commonly spelled Chanukah, Hanukkah, or Hanukah. It is not an english word and so therefore no actual set english spelling. In english it is Festival of Lights or less commonly called Feast of Dedication and yes people who do no celebrate Christmas would rather some one say Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings This does not take away the importance of anyones holiday or religious choices.

Thank you for the explanation - and the spelling!

Thanks, all. Sounds like I can manage it!

Thank you, Dave!

I have >100 shares, all transactions online. What exactly do I need to send in to get my OBC? Do I just print something off the web site (e.g., Ameritrade web site) such as my latest (online) statement? Can I email it rather than fax it?

Huatulco, MX, Puerto Quetzal, Guatamala, and Cartagena, Columbia.

See my web journal for these ports (and others) from my 2012 PC cruise for some info that may help you: http://www.bcdenterprises.net/PCcruise/.

Here's a link to a blog by someone who just did the QE world cruise this year - lots of info. I'm drawing a blank as to her CC handle but I'm sure someone will know. http://kathisworldvoyage.blogspot.com/